One thing would like to note about the singing the English Antiphons is that there are a few different people who have gone and made simple chant settings for the Antiphons at mass. If they wanted to go simpler, they could also use the Gregorian psalm tones for the antiphons and the psalms. I find that the church's tradition for chanting the psalms is simple, beautiful, and easy to sing even though it is not often used in parishes.
In the beginning of the first document promulgated by the Second Vatican Council on Dec. 4, 1963, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, we read:
[For the liturgy, "through which the work of our redemption is accomplished," (1) most of all in the divine sacrifice of the eucharist, is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church.]
At the end of the last document promulgated by the Council on Dec. 7, 1965, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, we read:
[Christians cannot yearn for anything more ardently than to serve the men of the modern world with mounting generosity and success. Therefore, by holding faithfully to the Gospel and benefiting from its resources, by joining with every man who loves and practices justice, Christians have shouldered a gigantic task for fulfillment in this world, a task concerning which they must give a reckoning to Him who will judge every man on the last of days.]
The Council seems to suggest that we take seriously the scripture passages:
[Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.] Matthew 5:23
[Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.] John 4:21
[Let me have no more of your strumming on harps. But let justice flow like water, and integrity like an unfailing stream.] Amos 5:23-24
Granted that the Liturgy is important. However, it is about time that we emphasize a Synodal Church over Liturgy and a “Eucharistic Revival”.
> However, it is about time that we emphasize a Synodal Church over Liturgy and a “Eucharistic Revival”.
Why? What does a Synodal Church mean? What does it mean to emphasize it over Liturgy? Does it mean that people with babies or with difficult children are welcome at Mass and are not told off for spoiling someone else's experience? I don't know what the pre-Vatican 2 experience was for parents of babies or difficult children, actually, and I wonder whether full and active participation led to a sense of entitlement (I must hear every word now that it is in English and if I don't then I did not receive all of the graces of Mass?) for those of us raised in the new way.
We should emphasize the Body of Christ over the Body of Christ?
Sounds like a desire to serve the Body of Christ before being served by the Body of Christ. To this the Body of Christ has spoken. Mary (Magdalene) has chosen the better part.
I couldn't find much in the synodal dialogue in my diocese that I was compelled to discuss but I am compelled to join in the pilgrimages in my area and the Congress with my diocese. I'm also excited about the following year of outreach following this Congress. After a zoom call of parish point persons heading to the Congress, we plan to expect miracles from this revival, from the public witness of the pilgrimages, and the outpoury of the Holy Spirit we are praying for. Unfortunately, didn't get that inspiration from the synodal discussions.
I for one have been so blessed seeing the processions come from the 4 points in the US. It is Jesus walking amongst his people. I was so happy to be able to take part in the South Bend leg. I am excited to be in Indpls and am blessed to be a Hoosier. I am not sure what people are complaining about. Don't limit God. This is His Work!
Of course Catholics are called to go out into the world to evangelize. But the Eucharist, which is Jesus Christ, is Way More Important than anything else, and there has been a crisis of belief in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In order to effectively minister to the downtrodden we must be fed on the Eucharist. we must be filled with Jesus, otherwise nothing else will work well. If the Lord does not build the house, then in vain do the builders labor. Different liturgies reflect personal tastes but the important thing is Jesus in our midst, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
After the fact I can see that this was largely successful.
I really appreciate the filial reverence Cozzens shows towards Pope Francis—a pontiff who frequently mystifies or annoys me—in recounting how they discussed the Congress.
One thing would like to note about the singing the English Antiphons is that there are a few different people who have gone and made simple chant settings for the Antiphons at mass. If they wanted to go simpler, they could also use the Gregorian psalm tones for the antiphons and the psalms. I find that the church's tradition for chanting the psalms is simple, beautiful, and easy to sing even though it is not often used in parishes.
The Developing View: From Liturgy to Solidarity
From Eucharistic Revival to a Synodal Church
In the beginning of the first document promulgated by the Second Vatican Council on Dec. 4, 1963, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, we read:
[For the liturgy, "through which the work of our redemption is accomplished," (1) most of all in the divine sacrifice of the eucharist, is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church.]
At the end of the last document promulgated by the Council on Dec. 7, 1965, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, we read:
[Christians cannot yearn for anything more ardently than to serve the men of the modern world with mounting generosity and success. Therefore, by holding faithfully to the Gospel and benefiting from its resources, by joining with every man who loves and practices justice, Christians have shouldered a gigantic task for fulfillment in this world, a task concerning which they must give a reckoning to Him who will judge every man on the last of days.]
The Council seems to suggest that we take seriously the scripture passages:
[Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.] Matthew 5:23
[Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.] John 4:21
[Let me have no more of your strumming on harps. But let justice flow like water, and integrity like an unfailing stream.] Amos 5:23-24
Granted that the Liturgy is important. However, it is about time that we emphasize a Synodal Church over Liturgy and a “Eucharistic Revival”.
> However, it is about time that we emphasize a Synodal Church over Liturgy and a “Eucharistic Revival”.
Why? What does a Synodal Church mean? What does it mean to emphasize it over Liturgy? Does it mean that people with babies or with difficult children are welcome at Mass and are not told off for spoiling someone else's experience? I don't know what the pre-Vatican 2 experience was for parents of babies or difficult children, actually, and I wonder whether full and active participation led to a sense of entitlement (I must hear every word now that it is in English and if I don't then I did not receive all of the graces of Mass?) for those of us raised in the new way.
We should emphasize the Body of Christ over the Body of Christ?
Sounds like a desire to serve the Body of Christ before being served by the Body of Christ. To this the Body of Christ has spoken. Mary (Magdalene) has chosen the better part.
I couldn't find much in the synodal dialogue in my diocese that I was compelled to discuss but I am compelled to join in the pilgrimages in my area and the Congress with my diocese. I'm also excited about the following year of outreach following this Congress. After a zoom call of parish point persons heading to the Congress, we plan to expect miracles from this revival, from the public witness of the pilgrimages, and the outpoury of the Holy Spirit we are praying for. Unfortunately, didn't get that inspiration from the synodal discussions.
I for one have been so blessed seeing the processions come from the 4 points in the US. It is Jesus walking amongst his people. I was so happy to be able to take part in the South Bend leg. I am excited to be in Indpls and am blessed to be a Hoosier. I am not sure what people are complaining about. Don't limit God. This is His Work!
All the talk about seminarians arguing over the liturgy reminds me of a joke.
What's the difference between a liturgist and a terrorist?
You can negotiate with a terrorist
What does a Synodal Church mean, indeed!
Of course Catholics are called to go out into the world to evangelize. But the Eucharist, which is Jesus Christ, is Way More Important than anything else, and there has been a crisis of belief in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In order to effectively minister to the downtrodden we must be fed on the Eucharist. we must be filled with Jesus, otherwise nothing else will work well. If the Lord does not build the house, then in vain do the builders labor. Different liturgies reflect personal tastes but the important thing is Jesus in our midst, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
After the fact I can see that this was largely successful.
I really appreciate the filial reverence Cozzens shows towards Pope Francis—a pontiff who frequently mystifies or annoys me—in recounting how they discussed the Congress.